Kim had just slipped her feet into the black strappy shoes that she'd chosen for the evening when a knock sounded at her door. A thrill ran through her. It had to be Jerry, and he was right on time.
The thought of his kisses had kept her distracted for most of the day. And now, the reality was standing on the other side of her apartment door. Some wild, mischievous part of her wanted to snatch the door open, grab him and demand a replay. She let that wild urge take control.
Butterflies sprang to life in her stomach as she moved toward the door. A seductive smile spread over her lips. Just the thought of Jerry's reaction, and then her reaction to his reaction, sent her heart thumping into anticipatory overdrive.
She undid the chain and the deadbolt, and was half out onto the front stoop before she froze in astonishment. Her body flushed hot in embarrassment.
"Ever heard of a peephole? Or here's an oldie, but goodie: Asking who it is before you just fling your door open?"
Kim sighed in exasperation and frustration. "What are you doing here, Steven?" She turned and headed back inside, leaving her brother to close and lock the door.
"What? I'm not welcome?" His mildly offended tone got him a pointed look over her shoulder. She refused to believe that his visit was just a coincidence.
"I let you in didn't I?" She went about the business of touching up her hair in a mirror mounted on the wall. "But just so you know, I don't need you interrogating my dates anymore."
"What makes you think that's why I'm here?" Steven settled on her sofa and watched her knowingly while she went from straightening her hair to straightening a room that didn't need straightening. It was what she did was she was nervous or off balance and she k new that he knew it. She forced herself to stop. She wasn't some young girl caught with her boyfriend. She was a grown woman living on her own.
Confidence restored, she turned and faced her brother. "Well, let's see. I happened to mention to Mom that I have a date tonight. That was about two hours ago. This gave her just enough time to call you, convince you to check it out and then for you to get off work and get over here. Am I right? Or am I right?"
Steven gestured surrender. "Okay. I'm busted. So who is this guy? You know how mom gets when she doesn't have details."
"I've been away too long. I'd forgotten."
"Maybe if Mom picked up on what I noticed when you opened the door, she had every reason to worry." Steven's expression turned serious.
So he hadn't missed that as Kim had hoped. Blindly opening her door like that had been stupid. But that didn't mean she couldn't play dumb and hope he lost interest. "What do you mean by that
"Oh, I think you know what I mean." He looked pointedly at her.
She went back to straightening her hair. How did a girl tell her brother that if she had her druthers, she'd be making out with a guy she hadn't even known existed a couple of weeks ago. She had a feeling that such a statement really wouldn’t sit well with Steven. He really needed to get over his over-protectiveness.
A knock sounded at her door, saving her from having to decide either way. This time, she dutifully checked to see who was on the other side of the door before she opened it.
Jerry's warm gazed settled on her and for a moment she wondered if he didn't have the same idea that she'd had. His brown eyes had darkened, and he'd leaned almost imperceptibly toward her. But then he'd noticed Steven watching from the sofa.
Silence descended.
"I'm impressed," Steven announced into the silence. "I didn't think I'd be seeing you again. But I guess I shouldn't be surprised."
"Soccer," was Jerry's response.
"Soccer?" Steven frowned.
"He's helping with the team," Kim explained, reaching for her purse. She was tired of the situation and the tension. "And now, we're going to dinner. Good-bye Steven. Go home."